Artist: Sarah Gillespie

Sarah Gillespie was born to an American Mother, and British Father. Although she was raised in Norfolk, England she made many trips to Minnesota where she was inspired by Bessie Smith, Bob Dylan, Cole Porter, and early Blues and Jazz. At age four she began to compose songs on the piano, by age fifteen she started to play the guitar. At eighteen she moved to the USA and started busking in the streets and playing gigs. After she returned to London she received her degree in Film And Literature and an MA in Politics and Philosophy from Goldsmiths University. While supporting a fellow band Sarah met the saxophonist and composer Gilad Atzmon who went on to produce Sarah’s critically acclaimed albums Stalking Juliet(2009) In The Current Climate (2011) Glory Days(2013) and her anti-war narrative suite The War on Trevor (2012).

He music is a fusion of jazz, folk and blues knitted together by poetic lyricism. Gillespie as been playing at the Vortex over the past five years. She has built up a loyal fan base with performances of original songs, witty onstage banter and the band’s formidable musicianship.

“Brilliant, the bee’s knees.” Robert Wyatt “Gillespie’s spiky lyrical gift is utterly distinctive.” The Metro, July 2013 Sarah Gillespie‘s music is a fusion of jazz, folk and blues knitted together by poetic, streetwise lyricism. The Guardian’s jazz critique John [...]